N.K Pop [Amazon Signed Exclusive]

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Leicester indie alt-pop outfit easy life match their previous chart peak, with new LP MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE… debuting at Number 2. Prior to this the group, comprising Murray Matravers, Oliver Cassidy, Sam Hewitt, Lewis Berry and Jordan Birtles, have enjoyed Top 10 success with 2020 mixtape Junk Food (7) and 2021 release life’s a beach (2).

I’m really inspired by everyday people,” he says. “I know it sounds corny, but I’m just naturally inquisitive about people. I like stopping and talking, especially to older people, because they often won’t know who I am. I find it interesting sharing stories. I was incredibly grateful,” he says, “but I’ve been sarcastic about how late it came. Even the wording, it’s like some goofy thing – ‘songwriting collection’ is like the ‘most improved player’ trophy,” he says, laughing. “Someone that hasn’t scored a goal and has been on the bench for the whole season but they’re the only one who’s not been given anything yet.” Heaton It wouldn’t be a giggle for me and you can’t sing Flag Day and then reform for charity. We did reform for an interview 10 years ago, which was lovely. I love spending time with them and we’re all really good friends.

Classical and Opera

Do you think musicians and bands are more reticent about being overtly political nowadays than they were in the 80s and 90s? HilsLM Heaton That was Womad in 1989. We were quite a weird set of people and that was the first gig we played where we didn’t smash our gear up, so three of us rolled an enormous, 10ft wheel on stage during Pere Ubu’s set. They were screaming: “What are you doing?” We went “It’s part of the show!” Then suddenly we were ushered off [laughter]. I hadn’t liked them when they supported the Clash in 1978, so it was silent revenge. John Murphy of musicOMH found that "While much of N.K. Pop is firmly in the tradition of radio-friendly pop, it's the lyrics that give these songs their extra dimension", concluding that "There are songs on N.K. Pop that stand squarely alongside some of Heaton's best" and that the "famous fire of his shows no sign of being extinguished". [3] Reviewing the album for Record Collector, Terry Staunton opined that there is "wry humour throughout" the album and that "Heaton remains the go-to chronicler of the Everyman condition" with Abbott providing "a vital contribution as both equal-billing foil and relatable conduit of female perspectives in these songs". [7] Abbott Paul writes the songs with Jonny [Lexus, guitarist]. He goes somewhere very sombre or rainy to write the lyrics, then somewhere sunny like Spain to do the music. That’s why the lyrics can be dark or sullen and the tunes are lovely and flowing. I love seeing it happen and then helping bring it all to life.

Paul, in the 1989 song Love Is … you estimated your life expectancy as 52. Given that you are still going strong, any reason why you envisaged such a short lifespan? BernardMunch Saying that it would be “great” for more UK artists to pay tribute to the NHS and honour them – just as Liam Gallagher and Manic Street Preachers did last year – Heaton then went on to claim that the Conservative Party’s efforts for privatisation would be better placed elsewhere.The British songwriting greatwas awarded Outstanding Song Collection at the 2022 Ivor Novello Awards for his work with The Housemartins through to The Beautiful South and his current collaboration with Abbott. Jacqui, have you had the opportunity to perform other people’s songs outside your partnership with Paul, and if not is that something you’d consider? AlanCambourne Bushell, Garry (29 September 2022). "Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbot – N.K-Pop album review". Daily Express . Retrieved 12 October 2022.